Horus Vision to Provide Handheld Advanced Ballistic Calculators to U.S. Army Sniper Squads

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – January 6, 2009 - Horus Vision has announced a contract award to provide U.S. Army snipers with up to 6,500 Advanced Ballistic Calculators (ABCs) — rugged handheld computers paired with the company's ATragMX ballistics software — which can be customized to individual weapons to provide precise accuracy even at extreme distances.

They have also recently been awarded a similar contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to provide more than 1,000 Ballistic Calculator Kits.

The Recon handhelds (made by Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company) will run a customized version of ATragMX software as the Advanced Ballistic Solution (ABS): the hardware and software comprising a part of the Army's overall Advanced Sniper Accessory Kit (ASAK). Under the terms of the contract, the Army may order as many as 6,500 units, with additional options beyond that. Horus Vision will also develop and deliver training to Army personnel on advanced use of the ABCs.

ATragMX software from Horus Vision offers shooters the most precise ballistics solutions of any product on the market. The software was developed based on data compiled by the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), the Army's principal researcher, developer and sustainer of current and future armament and munitions systems.

ATragMX goes beyond standard atmospheric and targeting data by allowing shooters to reverse-model results for individual guns. After test-shooting their weapons, snipers can feed data back into the software to create more precise calibration for those weapons. This provides better accuracy than the predictive, one-size-fits-all, solutions of typical ballistics software.

"Most ballistics software is predictive, crunching the usual variables to determine the most likely flight path," said Larry Chao, VP of Horus Vision. "ATragMX can be predictive or tailored to the individual rifle being shot. By modeling shooting results, it adjusts to the minute differences for an individual gun, which magnify when the target is 1,000 or more yards away. ATragMX provides far better accuracy, even at distances beyond 2,500 yards."

Horus Vision selected the Recon as the hardware component, based on the rugged handheld's wide acceptance by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. The Recon meets stringent MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration and temperature extremes, and its IP67 rating means it is impervious to dust and moisture.

Each Advanced Ballistics Calculator will be delivered as a kit that includes a carrying case, external power adapter and auxiliary battery adapter. The Recon handheld's standard rechargeable NiMH battery runs up to 15 hours on a charge; the ABC will also include an alternate AA battery module if recharging outlets are not available in the field. Beyond that, a 12volt adapter allows a user to connect vehicle batteries.

"As a company with a deep commitment to the military, we're very pleased that the U.S. Army is showing their trust and confidence in us through this contract," said Chao.

About Horus VisionHorus Vision provides cutting-edge technology to improve rifle accuracy at extended ranges, increasing the likelihood of a first-round hit. Horus products reduce the need for manual scope manipulation and mental calculation and incorporate sophisticated ballistics calculations. Our patented reticle replaces traditional mil-dot reticles. Horus technology and designs deliver simplified, systemized shooting that make expert skill possible and improve accuracy at any distance. Our hardware is combat-proven, meets military standards and can withstand the most rugged conditions. Horus Vision's ballistics calculations were developed and refined by the former Chief of ARDEC's small-arms division, William C. Davis. Horus Vision was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in San Bruno, California.